Man City's Guardiola 'understands' Klopp Club World Cup critique
ORLANDO, United States: Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said Sunday he can see Jurgen Klopp's point after the former Liverpool coach labelled the Club World Cup "the worst idea ever implemented in football."
However the Catalan also said he wants his team to win FIFA's heavily criticised newly expanded competition this summer in the United States, noting many of the complaints have come from teams which did not reach the tournament.
Klopp, currently Red Bull's "head of global soccer", told German newspaper Welt am Sonntag the crowded calendar meant there was no time for players to recover mentally or physically and he had serious concern over possible injuries.
"Jurgen – we fought together many, many times, I know where the idea comes from, we fought a lot in England, when we went to UEFA meetings, especially on the Premier League, (about) the calendar, to try to (increase the) quality," Guardiola told reporters.
"So the players rest, and the managers rest, (then) you have more quality, so it didn't surprise me, I understand him, I respect him.
"I have an incredible relationship with Jurgen, when we were rivals... I understand his argument, because his argument I would defend as well."
Guardiola's side are in the last 16 of the competition and face Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal on Monday in Orlando.
The coach said despite the criticism the tournament has received, he is "proud" to be competing to win it.
"At the same time we're in a job, we follow FIFA, UEFA, Premier League, Serie A... the managers are not going to organise the competitions, everyone has their own role, they organise the competitions," continued Guardiola.
"I have said many times, I am so proud to be here, because in the end many, many teams complain about the competitions, because they are not here, otherwise they would love maybe to be there.
"Their media will be here, their supporters will be here, there will be their income in terms of money to be here, and they will be happy to be there."
Man City have won six of the last eight Premier League titles with Liverpool claiming the other two, including last season.
England coach Thomas Tuchel said Arne Slot's Reds and Arsenal have an advantage on City for the upcoming campaign because they are resting during the summer.
"I try to not think about it, otherwise I will be so anxious," added Guardiola.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
13 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Mbappe set for Club World Cup debut as Real Madrid clash with Juventus in last 16
MIAMI, July 1 — Kylian Mbappe looks set to make his Club World Cup debut when his Real Madrid side face Juventus in the last 16 at the Hard Rock Stadium on Tuesday, in a major boost for the 15-time European champions. 'It's a big possibility,' Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso told a press conference on Monday when asked if the France forward, who missed all three group matches with acute gastroenteritis, would feature. Mbappe's return comes as Real Madrid look to build on a squad boosted by the recoveries of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao. 'Both Dani and Eder are coming back after a long recovery. It's an advantage for them and the whole team to feel they're close and involved,' Alonso said. 'At this decisive stage, everyone — starters and those supporting — has an important role.' Alonso, who took over earlier this month, said the team's priority was forging a collective identity. 'We want a team that works as one, with the 11 players fully committed, whether we have the ball or not. Our collective strength will allow individual talents like Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrigo, and Bellingham to shine,' he added. Juventus coach Igor Tudor, meanwhile, acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge but insisted his side had come to compete, not just to prepare for next season. 'We've got a top-level team. The draw wasn't the best possible, but it must be accepted,' Tudor told a press conference. 'We have to believe, run a lot, sacrifice, make no mistakes, and also have a bit of luck. I believe, the players believe, and we'll see what happens when the match starts.' Tudor praised Real Madrid's recent tactical evolution under Alonso, comparing it to Alonso's successful work at Bayer Leverkusen. 'Their last match looked a lot like what Leverkusen were doing — similar plays, systems, and style. Xabi Alonso has quickly implemented these ideas,' he said, noting that Madrid still have 'some weaknesses we can exploit.' The winners will take on the victors of the clash between Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey, who will face off in Atlanta on Tuesday. — Reuters
New Straits Times
15 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Fluminense's Silva savours double celebration after beating Inter at Club World Cup
Fluminense captain Thiago Silva had extra reason to celebrate after Monday's 2-0 win over Inter Milan in the Club World Cup round of 16, revelling not only in his team's historic performance but also in beating his former club's city rivals. The 40-year-old defender, who returned to his hometown club Fluminense last year, played three seasons with Milan between 2009 and 2012, winning a Serie A title and an Italian Super Cup. As Fluminense knocked their Italian opponents out of the revamped FIFA tournament, Silva acknowledged he thought about the joy Milan fans would feel witnessing their arch-rivals' defeat. "I was thinking here and thinking about Milan," he told DAZN after the match in Charlotte. "I'm sure the Milan fans will be happy about Inter's defeat and our victory." The centre-back, who also enjoyed successful spells at Paris St Germain and Chelsea, praised his team's outstanding performance in overcoming the Champions League runners-up. "This is a very important result for us. We knew it wasn't going to be an easy game. They played in the Champions League final less than a month ago," Silva added. "Today we played an incredible match. It had to be this way, there was no other way to achieve it. "We were always together, defensively we played an excellent match. They also made it difficult for us, perhaps we lacked something in defence, but that's understandable against an opponent like this." The Brazilians next face the winners of the Manchester City v Al Hilal tie in the quarter-finals on Friday.
The Sun
44 minutes ago
- The Sun
Mbappe returns as Real Madrid face Juventus in Club World Cup clash
KYLIAN MBAPPE looks set to make his Club World Cup debut when his Real Madrid side face Juventus in the last 16 at the Hard Rock Stadium on Tuesday, in a major boost for the 15-time European champions. 'It's a big possibility,' Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso told a press conference on Monday when asked if the France forward, who missed all three group matches with acute gastroenteritis, would feature. Mbappe's return comes as Real Madrid look to build on a squad boosted by the recoveries of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao. 'Both Dani and Eder are coming back after a long recovery. It's an advantage for them and the whole team to feel they're close and involved,' Alonso said. 'At this decisive stage, everyone - starters and those supporting - has an important role.' Alonso, who took over earlier this month, said the team's priority was forging a collective identity. 'We want a team that works as one, with the 11 players fully committed, whether we have the ball or not. Our collective strength will allow individual talents like Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrigo, and Bellingham to shine,' he added. Juventus coach Igor Tudor, meanwhile, acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge but insisted his side had come to compete, not just to prepare for next season. 'We've got a top-level team. The draw wasn't the best possible, but it must be accepted,' Tudor told a press conference. 'We have to believe, run a lot, sacrifice, make no mistakes, and also have a bit of luck. I believe, the players believe, and we'll see what happens when the match starts.' Tudor praised Real Madrid's recent tactical evolution under Alonso, comparing it to Alonso's successful work at Bayer Leverkusen. 'Their last match looked a lot like what Leverkusen were doing - similar plays, systems, and style. Xabi Alonso has quickly implemented these ideas,' he said, noting that Madrid still have 'some weaknesses we can exploit.' The winners will take on the victors of the clash between Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey, who will face off in Atlanta on Tuesday.
